Two fully-equipped portable clinics are being installed by Australia at the site of the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre to ensure uninterrupted healthcare continues during construction. 

The new clinic buildings and a refurbished Naha Clinic will be operational by mid-February, increasing the current clinic’s capacity to care for mothers, babies and the wider community as the new Health Centre progresses through its construction milestones.

Australian High Commissioner, Rod Hilton, said continuity of care was critical to keep the communities surrounding Naha healthy and looked after while the main works rapidly progressed.

“With construction now 35 per cent complete, a section of the existing clinic will be demolished to make way for the new Health Centre,” High Commissioner Hilton said. 

“The works will take place over the weekend, guaranteeing that healthcare services are uninterrupted,” he added.

Part of the existing Naha Clinic (right-hand side) will be demolished to make way for the much larger Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre

The additional space will be equipped with three beds, and offices for doctors and the nurse manager. 

The remaining section of the existing Naha Clinic will be underpinned, and refurbished with painting, new windows and mosquito screens, and a kitchen area based on consultations with nurses and the community. 

This provides Honiara City Council with additional health infrastructure options after the opening of the state-of-the-art Health Centre next year. 

High Commissioner Hilton said the installation of the portable clinics and renovation of existing clinic are being undertaken with strict health and safety regulations to protect patients, staff and the community.

“Australia is incredibly grateful for the leadership and coordination support that officials from both the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Honiara City Council are providing to the project,” High Commissioner Hilton said.

“Health infrastructure is complex, but we are on track, with regular planning and coordination meetings taking place, to ensure a quality fit-out and that trained staff are in place by the handover next year.”

The new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre is a flagship SBD150 million investment by the Australian Government.

Australia says the facility is;

• Larger, with more beds and health services
• Built to last, resilient to floods, fire and earthquakes
• Built to be a safe and accessible with buildings on the same level, connected by ramps
• Culturally appropriate with spaces for women, family and community.